Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

I wanted something decadent to go with my BBQ Baby Back Ribs and Mac and Cheese was the obvious choice. To make my Mac and Cheese a little more decadent, I used Smoked Gruyere cheese and good quality bacon.

There are a few things going at a time on this dish. You have the bacon going, the pasta, the milk, and the bread crumbs. The trick is low heat. Cook the bacon on low heat while the water is coming to a boil, while you are prepping the bread crumbs and the milk. The milk is heating slowly, while you are cooking the bacon, while making sure the milk doesn’t scald. Once the pasta is done, drain it. Now it’s time for assembly.

Pour in the cooked pasta to the cheese sauce, add the cooked, chopped bacon, (if you don’t eat meat, omit the bacon) and season with salt and pepper.

Pour mixture in to baking dish(es) and bake for about 30 minutes until brown on top and bubbly.

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Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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By Patrick Dulmage – Serves: 6-8

Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Ingredients

• 1 lb elbow macaroni or penne rigati or cavetappi - your choice
• 1 Qt milk
• 8 Tbsp unsalted butter + another 2 Tbsp for browning the breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cub all purpose flour
• 12 oz / 4 cups Smoked Gruyere cheese, grated
• 8 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
• 1/2 lb bacon, cooked and chopped into small pieces (3/4 lb if you want to snack while you are cooking)
• 1/2 Tsp freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 Tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 1 Cup Panko bread crumbs

Instructions

1

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil

3

Once the water is boiling, add the pasta (cook to pkg instructions, about 6-8 minutes)

4

While the water is coming to a boil, heat the milk in a small sauce pan over low heat (don't let it boil)

5

In another large pot, heat the butter and add the flour. Whisk until smooth

6

Slowly add the hot milk, whisking to keep smooth

7

Add the cheeses, salt, freshly ground pepper, and nutmeg

8

In a medium pan, over medium heat, heat 2 tbsp of butter and the panko bread crumbs

9

Stir in the cooked pasta, season with salt and pepper

10

Pour into casserole dish and put in the oven

11

Sprinkle on the buttered panko and put in the oven

12

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top

13

Serve immediately